The education ministry will implement a new application form to simplify the processing of special-needs children who require a Special Educational Needs (SEN) teaching assistant in schools.

In the previous application process, parents were required to submit information about their child’s special needs to schools each year.

Now, a section dedicated to children requiring teaching assistance will be inserted into all school application forms.

This allows the district committees responsible for assigning teaching assistants to be made aware of the special-needs children in their districts, and ensure all necessary steps are taken as quickly as possible.

Figures submitted to the ministry in October 2023 indicated a prior waiting time of six to eight months.